KEEPERS WEEK

The spotlight falls on our goalkeepers this week as coach Hans Segers runs the rule over last season.

The spotlight falls on our goalkeepers this week as coach Hans Segers runs the rule over last season.

Hans had five goalkeepers under his charge last term - Paul Robinson, Radek Cerny, Ben Alnwick, Robert Burch and Tommy Forecast - with Robbo again ever-present in the Premiership and Radek playing on five occasions.

Hans Segers: "It was tough for Robbo last season - the critics were out. After what happened in Croatia (Gary Neville's backpass bobbling over his attempted clearance) we went to Villa, he had an early backpass, tonked it 70 yards, had a smile to the crowd and they appreciated that.

"It wasn’t just the backpass though, there were a few things happening. We conceded a few goals and a few from long range, he was under pressure on that one and sometimes unfairly.

"Robbo is England number one and he’s there to be criticised, it was the same when David James was number one. You will have that and it’s a part of growing up.

"I get judged by how Robbo performs, so if he goes through a period where he’s down and makes mistakes, people look at me and ask ‘what’s going on?’ and it’s a difficult one. You look at your methods, how you train, what you do with the guys. Have you changed anything in the training pattern? Are they technical mistakes? Are they decision-making mistakes? You analyse it and take it from there.

"In goalkeeping terms he’s very young, still to reach his peak and still learning. I think he’s back to his best, especially from what I saw of him in training. It was a tough time but he put it behind him and I was happy with his performances in the last few weeks."